Newmarket Around the Town

Tuesday

Jun 26, 2012 at 2:00 AM

Town goes after Fairpoint for unpaid police details

Town goes after Fairpoint for unpaid police details

NEWMARKET — Last Wednesday the Town Council debated whether to direct interim Finance Director Matt Angell to enter into small claims litigation with Fairpoint Communications for the "recovery of unpaid police details."

Angell informed the Town Council Wednesday that the statute of limitations for collecting on this account in court would expire on June 30, adding that the town hasn't been "grooming its receivables."

The sum owed to the town amounts to just under $1,500, and, according to Angell, the costs of filing the claim will total close to $105. Several councilors questioned whether, at Angell's salary, it was worthwhile for him to be collecting on this debt.

"I don't support this particular resolution," said Councilor Al Zink. "Matt should be attending to the town's more pressing financial matters rather than this $1,500 wild goose chase. Isn't there someone else who can do this?"

The other councilors agreed, and changed the language in the resolution to allow for "a representative of the town of Newmarket" to enter into litigation against Fairpoint, rather than specifically Angell.

Angell also, later in the meeting, presented the Council with several past accounts receivable totalling $3,229 and dating back to 2005, which had long-passed the statute of limitations for collection. Angell noted that outside of small claims court action, he did not anticipate the recovery of these funds, and sought the Town Council's approval for writing them off of the town's books.

Councilor Gary Levy asked Angell if the parties involved had been sent recent, updated invoices or letters, and Council Chairman Phil Nazarro asked how exactly this happens.

"This happens by sitting on our hands," Angell said, echoing his earlier comment about the town not grooming its receivables. "Tonight though we can start a system to avoid this happening — we'll send out three notices, and if that doesn't work, we'll take them to small claims court."

The Town Council voted to pass a resolution writing these accounts off, with the understanding that Angell would send out final invoices and letters demanding payment the next day. "There's not a snowball's chance in hell we're getting this money and I want Matt's energy spent on other things," said Zink.

New committee tackles economic growth in town

A new committee dedicated to Newmarket's economic future is being formed, thanks to a resolution unanimously passed by the Town Council Wednesday night.

The committee. according to the meeting's agenda, is designed "to put the community on a path to long-term economic health ... to foster new economic development with the community."

The Economic Development Committee is intended to include diverse members of Newmarket's community, including both members of the local government, private citizens, and business owners. The committee will meet at least once a month and members will have a one-year term.

There was some discussion about the official make-up of the committee, with some councilors believing that there should be more of a presence of the Town Council, and others desiring more diversity.

"This shouldn't be so dominated by councilors that it seems like a Town Council meeting," said Councilor Al Zink. "If anything, we should have more at large members from the community."

Council vice chairman John Bentley stressed that time was of the essence, and the make-up and rules for the committee could be tweaked as needed at a later date.

"We need to include councilmen on this committee to demonstrate how important this issue is to us," said Town Council Chairman Phil Nazzaro. "It will be a large committee, but it's a large task that deserves input from across the committee. Lots of people have ideas."

The Town Council voted to approve the creation of the committee, with the following make-up: two councilors, one member of the Planning Board, one member of the Newmarket Business Association, two members of the Newmarket Community Development Corporation, and three at large members who are community residents.

Art show at Stone Church until June 30

Recent work by Taryn Myers and Taylor Rose is on display at the Stone Church, 5 Granite St., Newmarket from June 1-30.

In this fourth show at the Stone Church, the venue once again adds two more esthetic examples to its walls. Myers' and Rose's work is similar in the visual overview. Both deal with very personal portrayals of nature, but for two very different reasons.

"Each project tends to revolve around a common theme, usually socially-driven," Myers said. "I keep an open mind and an open heart, and always strive for some unique perspective."

Her major pieces in the show are part of her "Mothering Earth" project, which portray exactly that, symbolically.

Rose, on the other hand, says this about her work: "In my work I am constantly rediscovering my inner child to portray a world that beautifies silliness and embraces the imagination process."

Rose's work is more playful, and her major pieces are skateboard beds with whimsical animals.

Book donations sought

The Newmarket Transfer Station has partnered with Got Books to place a drop-off donation and reuse container for contributions of books, CDs, DVDs, videos and audio books.

The container is on Ash Swamp Road and accessible Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The bin is open to all residents of Newmarket and Newfields.

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